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Welcome to the English Riviera - lots to do for all the family!

WALKING - Miles of walks including the South West Coastal Path, Dartmoor and river walks.

SWIMMING AND BEACHES - Along the 22 miles of the English Riviera coastline there are 20 beaches from wide sandy stretches to hidden rocky coves.

BOATING - Boat trips in the bay are bookable from various firms by the harbourside and piers. Small boats and pedaloes for hire from most beaches.

CRUISING - There is an attractive list of sailings for trips by sea or river at booking kiosks at Princess Pier, Haldon Pier and the Harbourside.

SAILING & YACHTING - These are unequalled in Torbay, and the regattas in August are a superb spectacle. The Royal Torbay Yacht Club is at Beacon Terrace a short walk away. For those wishing to learn more there are two sailing clubs in Torquay.

PARAGLIDING - WATER SKI-ING - WINDSURFING

FISHING - Sea fishing from Princess Pier and Haldon Pier, or from rocks and beaches around the coastline. Mackerel, bass, pollack, bream, conger and whiting all caught in the bay. Fishing trips are readily available.

GOLF - The beautifully situated 18 hole course of the Torquay Golf Club is in Petitor Road, St. Marychurch. Visitors requiring temporary membership should apply to the Secretary.

Exploring...

Try wandering around Paignton and Torquay harboursides, the shops of Paignton and Torquay's Fleet Walk shopping precinct, Pavilion and much more. Going further afield, you can ramble across the wilds of Dartmoor National Park, see the Dartmoor Ponies, visit places of interest such as Widdecombe. Torbay and its environs also offers a rich diversity of places to eat out, theme bars and Nightclubs to suit all tastes.

Further Afield...

Totnes and Dartington Hall are less than 30 minutes away. Totnes is an Elizabethan river town with an ancient castle. The beauty of Dartington Hall with it's glorious gardens and world famous arts and music activities makes this an essential place to visit. Dartmouth, Dartmoor, Salcombe, Exeter and Plymouth can all be reached easily.

Paignton Zoo is only a mile or so away and there are river and sea cruises and steam train trips nearby. Torquay has Kents Cavern and a large model village among other attractions and there is a go kart track on the way to the delightful fishing port of Brixham.

South Hams
The South Hams of South Devon is an area of exceptional beauty and contrast with river estuaries, rolling hills and thatched cottages surrounding the lovely old towns of Dartmouth, Totnes, Kingsbridge, Salcombe, Modbury and Ivybridge and pretty villages that abound in the South Hams district of South Devon. In addition to this, the South Hams has some of the most beautiful, safe, clean and best -managed beaches you'll find anywhere. With three beaches being awarded the international Blue Flag award, and another 5 achieving the seaside rural beach award.

Dartmoor - www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk
Whether walking and exploring the rugged Dartmoor landscape with its great granite Tors and Dartmoor Ponies, climbing, letterboxing, horse riding, golfing, or just having a very relaxing break Dartmoor has it all. Heather-covered moorland and deep wooded gorges, beautiful lake-like reservoirs and tumbling rocky rivers, thriving market towns and villages, patchwork farmland and craggy granite tors, the Dartmoor National Park covers an area of 368 square miles - the largest, and wildest, area of open country in southern England.

Exeter
The regional capital for culture, leisure and shopping. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and just a few miles from the sea, Exeter brims with colourful character and offers a delightful mix of high quality attractions, restaurants and shops in a setting of architectural splendour. Enjoy heritage, arts, festivals and award winning locally produced food and drink or venture beyond the city and explore the Jurassic Coast of East Devon and the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Whatever your reason for visiting Exeter, a warm Westcountry welcome and a memorable stay is guaranteed.

Attractions...

Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway - www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk

NB Britains favourite attraction!

Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway from Paignton is the holiday line with steam trains running for seven miles in Great Western tradition along the spectacular Torbay coast to Churston and through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart estuary to Kingswear. The scenery is superb, with seascapes right across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill on clear days. Approaching Kingswear is the beautiful River Dart, with its fascinating craft, and on the far side, the olde worlde town of Dartmouth and the famous Britannia Royal Naval College, Butterwalk, Bayard's Cove and Dartmouth Castle.

Paignton Zoo - www.paigntonzoo.org.uk
Paignton Zoo is home to thousands of amazing animals and plants. Visit the desert, cross the savannah, explore the forest and trek through the tropics. Voted the Best Visitor Attraction in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards.

Plymouth National Marine Aquarium - www.national-aquarium.co.uk
The aquarium experience comprises of a total of 50 live exhibits including 3 massive tanks. Over 4000 animals from 400 species are displayed in realistic habitats from local shorelines to coral reefs. In addition, the technological zone, Exploreocean focuses on ocean exploration and sustainability through innovative, interactive exhibits.

Kents Cavern - www.kents-cavern.co.uk
Kents Cavern is one of the most important Paleolithic caves in Northern Europe and the oldest recognisable human dwelling in Britain. It holds beautiful and spectacular geological formations and significant prehistoric finds, some over 700,000 years old.

Living Coasts - www.livingcoasts.org.uk
Take a fantastic journey around the coastlines of the world without leaving Torquay! Living Coasts, Paignton Zoo's new visitor attraction in Torquay. Living Coasts features a range of fascinating coastal creatures from loud and loveable penguins to playful fur seals, colourful puffins to sea ducks - they're all at home in this amazing new environment.There are reconstructed beaches, cliff-faces and an estuary. A huge meshed aviary allows the birds to fly free over your head, while special acrylic tunnels give stunning crystal clear views of the birds and seals underwater.Then relax in the water-side café with its stunning views across Torbay, where you can enjoy morning coffee, lunch or a real Devon cream tea - all with the best view in South Devon. Living Coasts also has a well-stocked shop in the style of a colonial harbour, with gifts and souvenirs for everyone.

Cockington - www.countryside-trust.org.uk
Only a mile from Torquay seafront, the Domesday Book village of Cockington has hardly changed through the centuries. Come and explore this special village, its historic manor house and the 460 acres of parkland, woodland and farmland around. It is completely free to enter and you can lose yourself here for a whole day!

Riviera Centre - www.rivieracentre.co.uk
Open daily all year round. Torquay's indoor beach - safe, clean, comfortable and fun. The popular leisure pool features a giant flume and a wave machine to add an extra splash of fun!

Oldway Mansion - www.torquay.com
Oldway Mansion is a well known local landmark, used by the local council and is registered for marriage ceremonies. A beautiful building with lovely grounds, it is well worth a visit. Oldway Mansion can be found on the Torquay (A3022) to Paignton road, about 1/2 mile from Paignton town centre and just past Manor Road going toward Paignton. There are 60 free car parking spaces and 2 Coach parking spaces.

Torre Abbey - www.torre-abbey.org.uk
History comes alive at Torbay's most historic building. Built in 1196 you can trace the 800 years of development from monastery, imposing home of wealthy families, to Mayor's official residence of modern day. The Torre Abbey chapel may be hired for private services, such as christenings, funerals, renewal of marriage vows and blessings following civil weddings. Under present legislation it may not be used for weddings.

Woodlands Leisure Park - www.woodlands-leisure-park.co.uk
Its all here at Woodlands! Your favourite family Park with acres of indoor and outdoor fun. This is the unique Park set in fantastic countryside that's packed with action.

Goodrington Park - www.visitpaignton.net/torbay/goodrington-park-torbay.html
Goodrington Park is a natural habitat for swans, geese and wild birds.This is ideal picnic area and safe for all the families with children. Being part of the famous Youngs Park and literally a stone's throw from Goodrington Beach and Quay West, Goodrington Park offers truly all family fun with Bumper Boats, Swan Pedalos, Spanish Cafe, Ice Cream, Drop Slides, Crazy Golf, Junior Quads, Large Boating Lake and beautiful walks.

Bygones - www.bygones.co.uk
Wander back in time and relive the nostalgia of over 20 life-size Victorian shops and shop windows filled with thousands of original items from candles to porcelain, dolls, dolls houses and Victorian dresses. Visit the Ironmongers, the Grocers, smell the Sweet Shop, the Apothecary and the Forge.

Quaywest - quaywest.splashdownwaterparks.co.uk
Get Wet, go Wild at Quay West water park! Adults and Children's Water Fun at Goodrington, Paignton.